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PubMed1958

Whiplash injuries; diagnosis and treatment.

Whiplash injury may extend far beyond the neck, and may involve even the soft tissues of the pelvis. For permanent recovery, all the injuries must be evaluated and treated together. When impact from the rear snaps the head back and then forward, posterior subluxations in the cervical spine cause anterior-posterior narrowing of the intervertebral foramina, which may result in injury to the cervical nerve roots. Impact at the front, causing hyperflexion followed by hyperextension, has a similar effect although usually not as severe. Resulting symptoms may not appear until two or three weeks later, when irritative lesions have developed because of hemorrhage or swelling. Mild or progressive degenerative changes may cause no symptoms but may predispose the affected area to injury following some slight trauma. Capsular ligaments of the lateral intervertebral joints are especially liable to whiplash injury which may give rise to scars and adhesions that compress spinal nerves. Sympathetic system involvement may cause reflex and referred pain. Detailed neurologic, roentgen and electromyographic studies may be necessary for proper evaluation of injuries. Seemingly psychosomatic pain or disability is likely to have some physical basis in whiplash injuries. In 33 patients with whiplash injury, some recently injured and some chronically disabled with persistent symptoms, good results were observed following hydromassage, hot packs, joint mobilization exercises and, in a few, cervical or pelvic traction.

Accidents↗

PubMed2001

Dermatomal somatosensory evoked potential demonstration of nerve root decompression after VAX-D therapy.

Reductions in low back pain and referred leg pain associated with a diagnosis of herniated disc, degenerative disc disease or facet syndrome have previously been reported after treatment with a VAX-D table, which intermittently distracts the spine. The object of this study was to use dermatomal somatosensory evoked potentials (DSSEPs) to demonstrate lumbar root decompression following VAX-D therapy. Seven consecutive patients with a diagnosis of low back pain and unilateral or bilateral L5 or S1 radiculopathy were studied at our center. Disc herniation at the L5-S1 level was documented by MRI or CT in all patients. All patients were studied bilaterally by DSSEPs at L5 and S1 before and after VAX-D therapy. All patients had at least 50% improvement in radicular symptoms and low back pain and three of them experienced complete resolution of all symptoms. The average pain reduction was 77%. The number of treatment sessions varied from 12 to 35. DSSEPs were considered to show improvement if triphasic characteristics returned or a 50% or greater increase in the P1-P2 amplitude was seen. All patients showed improvement in DSSEPs after VAX-D therapy either ipsilateral or contralateral to the symptomatic leg. Two patients showed deterioration in DSSEPs in the symptomatic leg despite clinically significant improvement in pain and radicular symptoms. Overall, 28 nerve roots were studied before and after VAX-D therapy. Seventeen nerve root responses were improved, eight remained unchanged and three deteriorated. The significance of DSSEP improvement contralateral to the symptomatic leg is emphasized. Direct compression of a nerve root by a disc herniation is probably not the sole explanation for referred leg pain.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Women at work despite ill health: diagnoses and pain before and after personnel support. A prospective study of hospital cleaners/home-help personnel with comparison groups.

The present study sought to elicit the diagnoses behind the pain conditions causing complaints by female hospital cleaners and home-help personnel who were working despite their symptoms. We also wished to describe the prevalence of musculoskeletal diagnoses and the intensity, frequency and location of pain, and changes in the clinical picture and pain after personnel supporting interventions. A prospective study was carried out with intervention groups and non-randomized comparison groups. The hospital cleaners intervention programme comprised occupational organizational measures, competence development, physical and psychosocial working environmental measures and individual and rehabilitation measures on both an individual and a group basis. The home-help programme comprised a 2-week stay at an orthopaedic rehabilitation unit, training of supervisors, comrade massage, purchase of training equipment and stress management. Myalgia/ tendinitis occurred in 61% of shoulder girdle elevators, 18% of rotator cuffs, 16% of dorsal neck muscles and 29% of hip muscles. There was musculoskeletal pain in the lower back in 28% of cases. Referred pain from a musculoskeletal focus occurred in about one-sixth to one-third of individuals with the diagnosis in question. Neurogenic pain occurred in 6% of cases. No fibromyalgia syndrome was found. One-third of individuals felt pain all the time or almost all the time. The mean rated perceived "worst pain" was 70 mm on a visual analogue scale of 1-100 mm. Comparisons between intervention and reference groups indicated that some improvement in the clinical picture can be attained using this kind of general support programme for employees.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

[Neurophysiology of gastrointestinal pain].

The only non-general sensation that can be elicited from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is that of pain, which can go from slight discomfort to severe pain. However, in certain parts of the intestine, such as the rectum and gastroesophagus, the sensation of pain can be preceded by a non-painful sensation of distension at low levels of stimulation. GI pain is often dull, poorly defined and difficult to pinpoint. In some cases, GI pain is projected to areas of the body distant from the source organ ("referred" pain). These characteristics indicate that the representation of internal organs within the nervous system is very imprecise. Experimental evidence based on behavioral, neurological and clinical testing shows that most GI pain is the result of activity in afferent visceral sensory fibers contained in sympathetic nerves, and that the afferent intestinal innervation by means of parasympathetic nerves is not essentially related to GI pain signalling and transmission. As for the peripheral sensory receptor coding mechanism in the intestine, experimental tests have shown the existence of specific visceral nociceptors in certain places (e.g., the biliary system) and the existence of a king of non-specific "intensity" receptors in others (e.g. the colon). In any case, the number of afferent nociceptive fibers in the intestine is minimal, and this accounts for the fact that large areas of the GI tract appear to be insensitive or to require considerable stimulation before pain can be elicited. The few afferent nociceptive fibers contained in the sympathetic nerves can excite quite a few second order neurons in the medulla spinalis, which in turn generate an extensive divergence within the medulla spinalis and brain stem, including at times long supraspinal branches. This divergent input can activate different motor, autonomous and sensory systems, thus triggering the general reactions which characterize visceral nociception: diffuse pain which is difficult to pinpoint, referred at times to somatic areas, and autonomous and somatic reflexes resulting in prolonged motor activity.

Abdominal Pain↗

PubMed2006

[Differential diagnosis of hip and groin pain. Symptoms and technique for physical examination].

The differential diagnosis of hip and groin pain with respect to the high frequency of referred pain from the lumbar spine, lower abdomen, and pelvis is demanding. A systematic approach to the hip and groin area is important to identify the origin of pain. Both the history and quality of symptoms and the physical exam are the basics of the diagnostic algorithm. Roentgenograms and possibly an injection with a local anesthetic to the suspected origin of pain often complete the diagnostic work-up.The following report summarizes the typical symptoms of hip and groin disorders. A detailed description of the physical exam including functional tests for impingement, apprehension, adductor-, psoas-, and inguinal-related pain is included.

Arthralgia↗

PubMed1984

The spatial distribution, intensity and unpleasantness of acute dental pain.

The distribution, intensity and unpleasantness of acute dental pain were studied in 196 patients. Dental pain was classified by source according to 7 anatomical sites: dentinal, pulpal, pulpal and periapical, periapical, pericoronal, papillar, and periodontal. The distribution of dental pain was classified by the frequency of pain spread throughout the sample, by the extent of pain spread for a particular pain source, that is, the number of vectors of spread, and by the pain reference locations in the face and head. Pain-intensity and pain-unpleasantness were assessed on Visual Analogue Scales. The frequency and extent of pain spread varied as a function of source. However, specific patterns of pain spread were not associated with particular pain sources. There was considerable overlap in patterns of spread between maxillary and mandibular pain sources. The frequency and extent of pain spread was correlated positively with both pain intensity and pain unpleasantness. The correlation between pain ratings and pain spread may be attributed to central mechanisms and interactions between trigeminothalamic neurons. Spatial overlap of pain from maxillary and mandibular pain sources may be due to the large receptive fields of wide dynamic range neurons, that can extend beyond one trigeminal division. These observations indicate that the spatial distribution of acute dental pain is not sufficient as a diagnostic tool for indentifying pain source.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Sensory abnormalities in consecutive, unselected patients with central post-stroke pain.

This study examined the sensory abnormalities in an unselected, consecutive group of patients with central post-stroke pain (CPSP) surviving more than 1 year after stroke. The sensory examination included clinical examination and quantitative measures with detection and pain thresholds to heat and cold stimuli, argon laser, von Frey hair and determination of stimulus-response function in the 10-45 degrees C range. Sensory examination was in 11 identified CPSP patients (5 female, 6 male; aged 43-80 years) carried out in the painful area using the contralateral homologue area as reference. Pain rating was performed using the McGill Pain Questionnaire and a VAS scale. All patients had ischemic (MRI verified) infarction. Of the 11 patients with supratentorial lesions, 5 had thalamic lesions; in addition, 7 patients had lesions in the brain stem/cerebellum. Median present spontaneous pain intensity on the VAS scale was 3.3 (range: 0-7.7). All patients had pain in the body part with sensory abnormalities, which in 8 patients extended the area with pain. Warm detection threshold was higher in the pain area in all patients, and all except 1 patient had increased cold detection threshold. Cold and heat pain thresholds were raised as well, but to a lesser degree. Sensibility to touch (von Frey hairs) and pain (argon laser) were changed in only 4 and 3 patients, respectively. A stimulus-response curve in the 10-45 degrees C range showed different patterns compared to the non-affected side. A cold allodynia in the 10-45 degrees C range was present in the painful area in 6 (56%) of the patients. The results support the theory that damage to the spino-thalamo-cortical pathway is a necessary condition in CPSP. It is proposed that the spontaneous pain in CPSP is linked to hyperexitability or spontaneous discharges in thalamic or cortical neurons that have lost part of their normal input.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Laparoscopic findings, management, histopathology, and outcome of 25 women with cyclic leg pain.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine pelvic findings, histopathology, and clinical outcome in women with chronic pelvic pain and cyclic sciatica-like pain after laparoscopic surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: University-affiliated teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Of 2115 women with chronic pelvic pain, 25 also complained of cyclic pain radiating to the leg (right 15, left 9, both 1), pain over buttocks, and paresthesia of the thighs and/or knees, exacerbated during menses. INTERVENTION: Laparoscopy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Laparoscopic findings were endometriosis nodules (5 patients), peritoneal pockets and/or peritoneal endometriosis (19), and inflammatory peritoneum (1). Associated pelvic endometriosis was identified and confirmed in 17 women (68%). No additional lesions other than peritoneal pockets were found in eight (32%). All nodules, peritoneal pockets, and abnormal peritoneum were excised with a combination of hydrodissection and carbon dioxide laser. Peritoneum over resultant deep defects was sutured with one to three 2-0 nonabsorbable sutures in accordance with the surgeon's practice and experience. Endometriosis was confirmed in all five nodules, and histology of excised pockets showed endometriosis in nine (60.0%), endosalpingiosis in two (13.3%), chronic inflammation in one (6.7%), and normal tissue in three (20.0%). After laparoscopic excision sciatic symptoms were eliminated in 19, markedly improved in 4, remained the same in 2, and recurred in 3 patients after 2 years. CONCLUSION: Cyclic leg signs and symptoms were associated with pelvic peritoneal pockets, endometriosis nodules, or surface endometriosis of the posterolateral pelvic peritoneum. We hypothesize that the pain associated with these lesions is more likely referred pain originating from pelvic peritoneum than direct irritation of the lumbosacral plexus of the sciatic nerve.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Shoulder pain and reflex sympathetic dystrophy.

Shoulder pain has become one of the commonest clinical problems in modern North American society. The pathogenetic mechanisms vary widely, and often times, speculations about the underlying pathology have not been substantiated by investigative studies. In the past year, progress in our knowledge about shoulder pain has not been significant. We discuss the topic by dividing shoulder pain into four categories: 1) shoulder pain of local origin; 2) pain referred to the shoulder; 3) shoulder and neck pain; and 4) shoulder pain and reflex sympathetic dystrophy. It appears that a thorough history taking, an understanding of the psychosocial background of the patient, and a complete physical are equally important in the clinical evaluation of painful shoulders.

Humans↗

PubMed2001

Primary sensory neurons with dichotomizing axons projecting to the facet joint and the sciatic nerve in rats.

STUDY DESIGN: Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons that have dichotomizing axons to the lumbar facet joint and to the sciatic nerve were investigated in rats using a double fluorescent labeling technique. OBJECTIVES: To clarify the existence of DRG neurons with dichotomizing axons projecting to the lumbar facet joint and to the sciatic nerve in rats. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: DRG neurons having dichotomizing axons have been reported in several species and are considered to be related to referred pain. However, such DRG neurons have not been investigated in the lumbar spine. Clinically, pain from the lumbar facet joint is sometimes referred to the lower extremities innervated by the sciatic nerve. METHODS: Two kinds of neurotracers (DiI and FG) were used in the present double-labeling study. DiI crystals were placed in the left L5-L6 facet joint, and FG was applied to the ipsilateral sciatic nerve or along the midline of the L5 dermatome. Bilateral DRGs T13-S1 were observed by fluorescence microscope. RESULTS: DRG neurons double labeled with DiI and FG were recognized only in the ipsilateral DRGs from L3 to L6 levels. Approximately 3% of DRG neurons innervating the L5-L6 facet joint had other axons to the sciatic nerve. By contrast, no double-labeled neurons were observed after FG was applied to the L5 dermatome. CONCLUSIONS: In rats approximately 3% of DRG neurons innervating the lumbar facet joints have dichotomized axons projecting to the sciatic nerve.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Osteoarthritis: symptoms, signs and source of pain.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. The condition is characterised by loss or failure of the functional and/or biochemical integrity of the joint. The clinical symptoms include joint stiffness, pain and dysfunction, but the principal problem for the majority of patients is the pain. Although there are no pain receptors in the cartilage, the origin of the pain is thought to be due to stimulation of the A delta mechanoreceptors and the C polymodal nerve endings in the synovium and surrounding tissues. However, some of the pain experienced in and around the joints is referred pain or sympathetic efferent pain. In addition, there is a poor correlation of clinical symptoms with radiological or imaging appearance. This lack of correlation of clinical evaluation and imaging makes attempts at treatment difficult and compromises attempts to design studies and to evaluate the outcome of osteoarthritis in clinical trials.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

PubMed1999

[Otorhinolaryngologic causes of headache].

Headache is very common and it has many different causes. It can be a challenging, difficult, and interesting diagnostic problem. The knowledge of the complex sensory innervation of the ear, nose and paranasal sinuses is important. Heterotopic or referred pain must be differentiated from homotopic pain that is experienced at the point of injury. The nervous pathways of heterotopic otalgia are shown. From the otolaryngologist's point of view, there are multiple causes for the frequent symptom of facial pain and headaches: headaches due to ear diseases: pain extending to the ear region, with special regard to "referred otalgia" involving the cranial nerves V, IX, X; facial pain due to temporomandibular dysfunction; rhinological causes of facial pain and headaches, including posttraumatic trigeminal neuralgia and "facial sympathalgies"; the syndrome of the elongated styloid process. The quality of pain of the most common rhinological and otological diseases is reported. A detailed history and a carefully performed and focussed physical and laboratory evaluation will aid in the complex differential diagnosis.

Headache↗

PubMed2001

A reduced functionality of Gi proteins as a possible cause of fibromyalgia.

OBJECTIVE: The etiopathogenesis of fibromyalgia (FM), a syndrome characterized by widespread pain and hyperalgesia, is still unknown. Since the involvement of Gi proteins in the modulation of pain perception has been widely established, the aim of the present study was to determine whether an altered functionality of the Gi proteins occurred in patients with FM. METHODS: Patients with FM and other painful diseases such as neuropathic pain, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and osteoarthritis, used as reference painful pathologies, were included in the study. The functionality, evaluated as capability to inhibit forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity, and the level of expression of Gi proteins were investigated in peripheral blood lymphocytes. RESULTS: Patients with FM showed a hypofunctionality of the Gi protein system. In contrast, unaltered Gi protein functionality was observed in patients with neuropathic pain, RA, and osteoarthritis. Patients with FM also showed basal cAMP levels higher than controls. The reduced activity of Gi proteins seems to be unrelated to a reduction of protein levels since only a slight reduction (about 20-30%) of the Gi3alpha subunit was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Gi protein hypofunctionality is the first biochemical alteration observed in FM that could be involved in the pathogenesis of this syndrome. In the complete absence of laboratory diagnostic tests, the determination of an increase in cAMP basal levels in lymphocytes, together with the assessment of a Gi protein hypofunctionality after adenylyl cyclase stimulation, may lead to the biochemical identification of patients with FM.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

PubMed2004

Facial pain from visceral origin.

INTRODUCTION: Unilateral facial pain in the trigeminal area is known to be caused by a cancer in the superior lobe of the lung. CASE REPORT: A 65 year old male, heavy smoker, presented a permanent otalgia and a mandibular pain on the left side. These symptoms could not be relieved by common analgesics. All explorations for common etiologies were negative. After an episode of dyspnea, a left lung cancer was discovered. Thanks to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the patient's pain was improved. CONCLUSION: Referred facial pain is rare and can be explained by the invasion of the tenth nerve by an upper lobe lung tumor. In most cases, the patient presents a right otalgia and pain in the area of V3. The diagnosis can be delayed from 1 month to 4 years after the onset of the pain. Referred facial pain is improved by the treatment of the causal lung cancer.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Calcified stylo-hyoid ligament. Its role in the diagnosis of laterocervical pain].

The calcification of the stylo-hyoid ligament is very often accidentally discovered during a panorex examination. Sometimes it is responsible of lateral and cervical pain spreading to the oral cavity and the maxilla. This anatomic landmark results in man from the more or less complete ossification of the hyo-branchial system due to the persistence of the Reichert cartilage. The anatomical environment of the ossified stylo-hyoid ligament is very rich in thick blood vessels and cranial nerves and can lead after compression or irritation to: vascular pain of the external carotid artery, recurrent syncopes by irritation of the carotid sinus, pain in the tonsils, phonation and swallowing troubles, referred pain in the temporo-mandibular joints. The standard clinical and radiographic examination will help to establish the differential diagnosis. The treatment is either non surgical, by cutaneous infiltration of local anesthetic or surgical, by the removal through the oral cavity of the calcified stylo-hyoid ligament.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

Musculoskeletal chest wall pain.

The musculoskeletal structures of the thoracic wall and the neck are a relatively common source of chest pain. Pain arising from these structures is often mistaken for angina pectoris, pleurisy or other serious disorders. In this article the clinical features, pathogenesis and management of the various musculoskeletal chest wall disorders are discussed. The more common causes are costochondritis, traumatic muscle pain, trauma to the chest wall, "fibrositis" syndrome, referred pain, psychogenic regional pain syndrome, and arthritis involving articulations of the sternum, ribs and thoracic spine. Careful analysis of the history, physical findings and results of investigation is essential for precise diagnosis and effective treatment.

Bone Diseases↗

PubMed1995

Myofascial pain syndrome: early recognition and comprehensive management.

Fewer conditions in clinical practice have generated more controversy and debate than those that cause musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. The term myofascial pain refers to a syndrome of musculoskeletal discomfort. Myofascial pain is a significant physical disorder responsible for long term disability. Early diagnosis of myofascial pain syndrome and circumspect treatment without using narcotic and non-narcotic analgesics results in successful outcomes. The goal of treatment should always be function oriented, set at the beginning of a treatment program, and modified at periodic intervals. Concurrent psychosocial stressors in the home and at work should be identified and treated appropriately.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

PubMed2004

When to refer to a pain clinic.

This chapter addresses the questions of which patients might profitably be referred to pain clinics, as well as when this should happen for the optimum results. Since there are many different types of pain clinic, the question of to which pain clinic should a patient be referred is also examined. The development of multidisciplinary pain clinics and the types of services (assessment and treatments) they offer are reviewed as well as evidence for the effectiveness and cost-benefits of pain clinics. In order to make constructive use of pain clinics the potential misuse of pain clinics, by, for example, seeing them as 'last resorts' for hopeless cases or through inadequate preparation, is explored. Common criticisms of pain clinics, such as long-waiting lists and poor linkages to referrers and primary practitioners, and ways in which these are being addressed are also considered. A number of issues to be considered by the doctor when making a referral to a pain clinic are also identified.

Chronic Disease↗